Sick note for Schueyposted in F125 | 01 | 2011
LESS THAN 24 hours before Bathgate's Paul di Resta is confirmed as a Formula One Force India racer for 2011, it's worth noting that even the best struggle in the sport; seven-times world champ Michael Schumacher has to combat bouts of sickness when preparing for grands prix in the Mercedes simulator.
During his successful years at Ferrari, the German maestro was able to test to his heart's content at the team's private track at Fiorano. But since the F1 testing allowance was reduced to 15,000km in 2009 and a ban on in-season testing introduced, most teams have been forced to rely on simulators to prepare for grands prix.
It's these simulators — essentially a replica cockpit which is raised on a moving, hydraulic platform in front of multiple screens — which drivers use to familiarise themselves with the circuits, tyre behaviour and to try out different car set-ups.
Unfortunately, 42-year-old Schumacher — who was regularly beaten by his team-mate Nico Rosberg in 2010 — has long been prone to suffering on simulators.
"Throughout his career, Michael from time to time has been susceptible to simulator sickness," Mercedes explained, "but it hasn't adversely affected Michael's race preparation or competitiveness with regard to his team-mate.
"Simulator sickness has affected the length of time that he can spend on a simulator. This is a relatively common occurrence for many people in all fields of simulator activity, including military, aircraft and racing cars.
"The simulator is one of a number of tools which drivers use to prepare for the race weekend, but Michael has not been disadvantaged as together with his engineers he has made his simulation work effective."
Fortunately Di Resta has no such ailments, having spent hours on the simulator with Force India last year, so the Scot heads into 2011 knowing he can rack up the practice hours without reaching for the sick bag.
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Jim McGill